Planet Viewing in July

July 2008

A passel of planets highlights the sky this month. Mars and Saturn huddle close together for most of the month, low in the west in early evening. Jupiter, putting in its best showing of the year, shines brightly all night. Even elusive little Mercury puts in a brief appearance, in the dawn sky. Only Venus is missing from the festivities, lurking too close to the Sun to view. The Moon teams up with all four worlds during the month; by locating them when the Moon is near, you can easily follow the planets for the rest of the month.